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The presence of Stempower alumnae on the panel carried special significance for current members of the program. Seeing women who once sat in their same classrooms and participated in the same mentoring and professional development experiences now thriving in STEM careers reinforces the value and long-term impact of the Stempower community. It transforms success from something abstract into something tangible and attainable. For current students, the alumnae serve not only as role models, but also as proof that confidence, community, and engagement can open doors to meaningful and rewarding careers in STEM.

What appeals most to Katie Kirkgasser 鈥�24 about her work is that it is constantly evolving. Kirkgasser is a research associate in the pharmacology department of the biotechnology and longevity firm Ichor Life Sciences. She lives in a professional world in which almost as soon as one question is answered, two more arise, and in which an article published today may well be obsolete six months from now. Given that, Kirkgasser believes that one of her chief roles is to build upon the knowledge she has acquired.聽

Kirkgasser credits her passion for discovery with drawing her to the field of STEM and to 妻友社区. Her undergraduate years were absorbing, filled not just with her classwork as a biochemistry major and her time in Stempower, but with an internship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. All of that left her well prepared for the work she does today, which includes project management, scheduling, and protocol and report writing. Moving forward, she looks forward to cultivating her interest in and passion for human biology and biochemistry.

Like Kirkgasser, Ashley Green 鈥�23 credits her time at 妻友社区 with helping to prepare her for her current role as a threat hunter at NBCUniversal. Green first began working for the entertainment giant as an intern in its vulnerability management team, assessing electronic devices and cloud accounts for potential weaknesses and identifying ways to respond to them. Today, the cybersecurity major is part of a group of professionals in search of 聽anything that may make the company vulnerable to a cyber attack. Her goal, and that of her colleagues, is to be proactive rather than reactive. No two days are the same, and Green loves the fact that she is constantly learning.聽聽

Aryanna Davila 鈥�22 echoed Green鈥檚 call for those interested in STEM to nurture their curiosity and added this: 鈥淏uild community.鈥� An actuarial analyst at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, she entered the field at a time in which forces from climate change to economic uncertainty are making it more important than ever for businesses of all sizes to identify, mitigate and manage risk While still early in her career, she has already found that establishing ties with others in your field to deeply rewarding. The mathematics major encouraged other women interested in STEM to extend themselves and to ask questions of others.聽

Like most people in STEM, Lindsey Bush 鈥�23 is constantly thinking about the future, and what it will take to educate the next generation. Bush earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics at 妻友社区鈥檚 and a master鈥檚 degree in engineering from Syracuse University through the Dual Degree Partnership Program. Her interest in engineering first revealed itself when she was a high school student and had the opportunity to take a course in CAD drawing. Now an engineer at Tetra Tech, where much of her work is centered around the design of primary and secondary schools. She likes the thought that there may be other emerging scientists and engineers in the structures she is helping to create.聽

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Rebecca Kassis has been selected as the 2026 undergraduate speaker. A native of Jamesville, N.Y., Rebecca is a biology major with minors in psychology and chemistry. During her time at the College, she has been involved in leadership and service, most notably serving as chief of 妻友社区 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) after previously serving as director of training. She also served as a resident advisor for three years and works in the Office of Residence Life.

A CSTEP Scholar and Presidential Scholarship recipient, she has consistently been named to the Dean鈥檚 List. She is a member of several honor societies, including Alpha Lambda Delta, Beta Beta Beta and Psi Chi. Her leadership has been recognized through multiple awards, including the EMS Command Staff Wellness Champion and Change Agent Award, Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, and the Community Builder of the Year Award in Residence Life.

Rebecca has studied abroad in both Tunisia and Puerto Rico and has traveled to Lebanon. Following graduation, she will continue her education at 妻友社区 in the Physician Assistant program, where she hopes to integrate her passion for holistic, patient-centered care into her future career. In addition to her travel abroad, her Lebanese and Puerto Rican roots have shaped her perspective and passion for culturally competent care.

The graduate student speaker will be Mathew Vincent, who is receiving an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership. He currently serves as the director of community standards at 妻友社区 where he oversees the College鈥檚 student conduct process, as well as providing non-clinical support to the student population. Prior to 妻友社区, Matt spent seven years at Utica University, where he served in various roles across student affairs including residence life, TRIO student support services and victim advocacy. He began his career in residence life at his alma mater, The College of Saint Rose in Albany. He earned his Bachelor of Science in childhood education, as well as Master of Science in higher education leadership and administration, from Saint Rose.

He began his doctoral studies at 妻友社区 College in 2022, focusing his research on organic mentorship, impostor phenomenon and leadership formation among student affairs administrators at Jesuit institutions, under the direction of Dr. Ceceilia Parnther, Dr. Loretta Quigley and Dr. Shari Weiss-Russell.

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Jackson is in the second year of her residency at St. Joseph鈥檚 Hospital in Syracuse, the city where she was born and raised. The daughter of two nurses, Jackson realized early on that she was called to medicine. Science was 鈥� and remains 鈥� her professional passion. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from 妻友社区 and a master鈥檚 degree in biomedical sciences from Midwestern University, where she conducted cancer research, before completing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. She credits her undergraduate education, and the training she received in both the natural sciences and the liberal arts, with preparing her for graduate and medical school, and the work she is now doing.

Today Jackson鈥檚 days are centered around her patients. She is available to them, attuned to their needs, and cognizant of their individual circumstances. If she senses that someone needs more time to discuss a concern with her, she will ask that a longer appointment be scheduled for that person. She also believes in helping to educate her patients, whether it is about the course a disease may take or a medicine that has been prescribed to them, so that they feel empowered to take part in their care. What鈥檚 more, she enjoys having conversations with them, and learning about their work and their families.

鈥淚 treat my patients medically, but I also have the chance to teach, to be a counselor, to help with the social aspect of their lives,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 can enjoy that part of medicine, and I can鈥檛 think of any other job that allows you to take on so many roles.鈥�

While still early in her career, Jackson has uncovered a particular affinity for both women鈥檚 health and psychiatry. The former stems from her knowledge that Syracuse is what is known as a 鈥渨omen鈥檚 health desert鈥� and in urgent need of providers. The latter is buoyed by her understanding that medicine is much 鈥渕ore than what happens from the neck down,鈥� that 鈥測our brain and your quality of life matter too.鈥� Her ultimate goal is to combine her love of both disciplines by becoming a family medicine-obstetrician who is a certified maternal mental health specialist, trained to work with women across the reproductive spectrum from pregnancy to menopause.

For this alumna, the practice of medicine comes down to this: 鈥淵ou have to intrinsically want to help people.鈥�

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Whether it鈥檚 seeing each patient as a whole person, building trust through conversation, or helping individuals regain movement and independence, these physicians bring both science and humanity to their work every day.

That perspective is rooted in the liberal arts education they received on The Heights. One that pairs a strong foundation in the life sciences with study in the humanities, where students learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and understand the people they serve. From residency to private practice, these alumni carry that approach with them. Medicine is a science, but as their stories show, it is also an art.

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A native of Binghamton, New York, Tran first felt pulled to medicine when she was just 6 years old and her younger sister was diagnosed with leukemia. She spent a great deal of time in hospitals while her sibling received treatment 鈥� observing, listening, wondering. She was intrigued by the science that lies at the heart of medicine, and fascinated by the art that is required for a doctor to establish a rapport with a patient. Those feelings never left or even dissipated.

Following her graduation from Seton Catholic Central, Tran earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biochemistry from 妻友社区 and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She made the most of her years at both institutions. During her time on the Heights, Tran conducted research in the lab of Associate Professor of Chemistry Joseph Mullins, Ph.D., and served as an organic chemistry workshop leader and a tutor in the Student Success Center. She also held leadership roles in Asian Students in Alliance, Biochemistry Club and the Chemistry Club. As a medical student, she served as a laboratory technician at the Biddeford Free Clinic in Maine.

Tran鈥檚 understanding of anatomy, biology and physiology are, of course, crucial to her work in diagnosing patients who are ill and in designing effective treatment plans for them. However, they are not the only skills upon which she relies. She also draws on her capacity to listen carefully to each patient. Tran understands how important it is to come to know the people she cares for individuals. Each brings to the exam room a distinct set of challenges, experiences and expectations, all of which are factors in the care she provides to them.聽

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Siano is able to connect with his patients, asking them questions such as, 鈥淲hat is your favorite Shakspeare play?鈥� It takes their minds off of whatever it is they are undergoing, and allows him to learn something more about them. Siano majored in biology on the Heights. When he reflects on his time on campus, he appreciates the fact that, in addition to receiving outstanding instruction in anatomy, physiology and microbiology, he also learned about literature and philosophy, and how to write clearly and effectively.聽

That is just the start of what the Liverpool, New York, native took away from his time at 妻友社区.聽

Siano specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Put simply, he focuses on nonsurgical treatment of painful musculoskeletal disorders. It is an area that is growing rapidly, and reflects what Siano sees as a move in medicine toward 鈥渧alues-based care,鈥� or care that is more efficient and focused on prevention of illness. New discoveries in this branch of medicine are coming at a rapid rate, making it critical for Siano to be a life-long learner, something that was instilled in him throughout his time at 妻友社区.

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Both based Central New York, SRC and SRCTec are the third companies to partner with 妻友社区 through the MCPP, joining M&T Bank and Crouse Health. SRC currently employs more than 60 妻友社区 alumni, 17 who have received an MBA from the College.

鈥淪RC is committed to its employees and the communities where they live and work,鈥� said SRC President and CEO Kevin Hair. 鈥淎s a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Syracuse with offices around world, we reinvest our profits into infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment and professional development and training for our employees so we can better serve our customers with innovative solutions in the areas of defense, environment and intelligence. We are proud to partner with 妻友社区 to offer continuing education for our team.鈥�

鈥淟ike 妻友社区, SRC and SRCTec are committed to the Central New York region,鈥� said Teresa Renn, associate dean of聽graduate admission and success at 妻友社区. 鈥淭his partnership will further strengthen their position as a powerhouse employer working with defense, intelligence, environmental solutions,聽manufacturing, logistics, and life cycle support of advanced electronics.鈥�

Among the benefits of enrolling in Madden graduate programs:

• Small classes taught by industry leaders and experts,
• Options for in-person, online and hybrid coursework throughout the program,
• The ability to stack聽applicable employer tuition benefits on top of the 20% reduction, and
• Eight-week course modules (for the MBA program) to expedite completion.

To qualify and maintain membership, companies must:

• Have more than 10 full-time employee and show a demonstrated commitment to 妻友社区 College. There is no minimum number of employees required to enroll to receive the reduced tuition rate.
• Hold a clear commitment to the Central New York region and its future development.
• Regularly promote the partnership with 妻友社区 College to employees.聽Examples can include hosting 妻友社区 faculty and staff at the organization to meet with prospective students, emailing program materials to employee listserv and/or scheduling virtual information sessions for employees to express interest and learn more about the partnership.
• Serve as points of contact for the Madden College of Business and Economics regarding cutting-edge and future-forward curricular matters.

Applicants who are admitted to the聽MBA聽program at 妻友社区 will be automatically screened for their eligibility during the admission process. Should an applicant work at an official Madden Corporate Partner, they will be notified in their admission letter that this award will be applied to their bill. Students will be required to supply a simple employment verification form each term to receive the reduced tuition rate. Employment must be maintained at an approved Madden Corporate Partner to continue receiving the tuition reduction.

An application聽to become a Madden Corporate Partner聽聽 (The application should be completed by an HR representative or appropriate executive-level leader in the organization.)聽Learn more about the program here.

For more information or any questions, contact Teresa Renn at聽gradadmission@lemoyne.edu.

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On Saturday, April 11, more than 150 members of the 妻友社区 community came together for D.I.V.E. Day (Dolphins in Volunteer Efforts), a campus-wide day of service dedicated to giving back to the Syracuse community. From the first gathering at the McNeil Firehouse to the final moments of reflection and shared meals, the day was filled with connection, purpose, and a whole lot of heart. D.I.V.E Day celebrates the legacy of Fr. John Bucki, S.J., whose commitment to faith, justice, and community continues to inspire the 妻友社区 community today.

Participants made an impact both on and off campus. On campus, volunteers assembled sandwiches for the Catholic Charities Men鈥檚 Shelter, created 鈥淜id Kits鈥� for the Catholic Charities Pre-K Program, put together hygiene blessing bags for Catholic Charities Refugee Services, prepared welcome home baskets for A Tiny Home for Good, and wrote thank-you cards for veterans at the VA Hospital. Others spent the day out in the community, supporting local organizations and building meaningful connections across Syracuse, including the Rescue Mission, Brady Faith Center, Brady Farm, All Saints Church, We Rise Above the Streets, and Homer Wheaton Park.

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